No stopping Portlaoise as they prove too strong for Graiguecullen

Can anyone stop Portlaoise? It’s the perennial question in Laois football and as The Town seek to retain their title and an 11th in 12 years, it’s looking as unlikely as ever following this evening’s action in O’Moore Park.

Graiguecullen are generally one of the possible challengers but despite their best efforts and an encouraging opening 20 minutes, this was a game that was over at half-time.

Portlaoise are just so difficult to contain. You’ll hold them for so long or you’ll keep some of their marquee men quiet but eventually the pressure will tell. As always it’s a case of too many fires and not enough firemen.

After 24 minutes, Portlaoise led 0-5 to 0-4 and it was a decent enough contest. In the next seven minutes, Portlaoise hit 1-6 without reply. At half time it was 1-11 to 0-4. Ten points in it. Job done. Game over.

The chief architects of tonight’s win were two of their longest serving players – Brian McCormack at full forward and Craig Rogers at centre. McCormack, by our count, is in his 20th season playing senior football, Rogers in his 16th. Between them they have 24 county medals – and in the opening half, they scored 1-9 between them.

Rogers hit three in a row early on, the pick of them a sweet left-footed effort. McCormack scored 1-5 of Portlaoise’s 1-6 in that burst before the break. As well as a couple of lovely points from play he also palmed home their 31st minute goal after delightful ball was floated in by Benny Carroll. Scott Lawless contributed their other two points.

Of course the other element of Portlaoise’s evening was the return of Cahir Healy to the starting team after than more than a year out injured – and the efficient marking job done by Kieran Lillis on Aaron Forbes, star man in Graigue’s Round 1 win over O’Dempsey’s.

For Graigue, who were beaten by Portlaoise in last year’s final, their first-half points came from Danny Bolger and Jamie Parr frees as well as points from play from Brian Byrne and midfielder Paul Mulready.

Graigue battled on honestly in the second half but Portlaoise always had their measure. Rogers added a fourth point, Lawless kicked a third and Carroll, Chris Finn and Kieran Lillis all pointed as well.

Graigue added five points too – four of them frees – with their only effort from play coming from defender Trevor Collins.

Portlaoise now go forward to another quarter-final. Graigue go into Round 3.

Steven Miller is owner and managing editor of LaoisToday.ie. From Laois, Steven studied Journalism in DCU and has 14 years experience in the media, almost 10 of those in an editorial role. Husband of Emily, father of William and Lillian, he's happiest when he's telling stories or kicking a point.